Apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in opened condition during filling of commodities

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in opened condition during filling of commodities, comprising a casing with a magazine in which the carry bags are suspended on rods and are opened by movement of an operating device arranged in front of an opening of the magazine. On the operating device there is pivotally mounted an opening device with a pair of catchers, and by the opening of a bag this is pulled out from its suspension on the carrying rods and hangs distended between the catchers and holding means mounted on the casing. The filled bag is released by inward movement of the operating device so that the bag slides down onto a platform. The operating device and all the cooperating means on the casing are mounted on a frame which is pivotally hinged thereto in front of the magazine opening so that the frame may be turned aside by filling of the bags into the magazine, thereby giving free access to the latter.

ite States ate Kristiansen [76] Inventor: Asbjorn Helge Kristiansen, Vogtsgate 56, Oslo 4, Norway [22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 218,187

[52] US. Cl. 53/384 [51] Int. Cl B65!) 43/28 [58] Field of Search 53/384 [56} References Cited .UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,075,324 1/1963 Burks et a1..... 53/384 x 2,60l,480 v 6/1952 Williams 53/384 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee AttorneyEric H. Waters et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in opened condition during filling of commodities, comprising a casing with a magazine in which the carry bags are suspended on rods and are opened by movement of an operating device arranged in front of an opening of the magazine. On the operating device there is pivotally mounted an opening device with a pair of catchers, and by the opening of a bag this is pulled out from its suspension on the carryingrods and hangs distended between the catchers and holding means mounted on the casing. The filled bag is released by inward movement of the operating device so that the bag slides down onto a platform. The operating device and all the cooperating means on the casing are mounted on a frame which is pivotally hinged thereto in front of the magazine opening so that the frame may be turned aside by filling of the bags into the magazine, thereby giving free access to the latter.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENIEDUCI 9191s saw 10F 3 PATENIEDUCI ems BLT/639630 sum 20F 3 Fla 8 FIG. 9

Pmmsznw 91915 @763630 SHEET 30F 3 APPARATUS FOR TIIE OPENING OF CARRY BAGS AND FOR THE SECURING THEREOF IN OPENED CONDITION DURING FILLING OF COMMODITIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in opened condition during filling of commodities, whereby a plurality of carry bags are suspended by carrying rods in a carry bag magazine and may be opened by moving a handle or stirrup with an opening device mounted thereon.

An apparatus of this kind must necessarily contain a certain number of unopened bags, suspended on carrying rods. In front of this bag magazine is placed opening and securing means, which constitute a hindrance by the supply of new bags to the magazine. By the filling of commodities in the opened bag certain types of goods may be rather heavy, so that there is a risk that the bag slips down from its suspension. Further, by use of such an apparatus for a long time by different persons, with the rather rough treatment this implies, one can not disregard the fact that distortions may occur in the opening device, which cause that the opening device is put out of action. Since the bag magazine is usually built-in or enclosed, it may be difficult to know when a filling of new bags isneeded. Thus there is a need for a device indicating when a filling is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the invention to simplify the suspension or hanging up of new bags on the carrying rods in the magazine and to prevent failure of the catchers for the securing of the bags by possible occured distortion of the operating stirrup.

A further object of the invention is to provide a special clamping means which can tolerate heavy loads.

Another object is to provide catcher means which are locked in the opened position of the carry bags, and which are arranged such that they at any time may rest against the rear bag wall, even by rather large distortions of the stirrup.

A further object is to provide a supporting platform for the bags, which platform have a 'dual purpose, namely'to support the bag bottoms during the filling,

.and to receive the filled bag and place it in such a position that it may easily be gripped.

A further object is to provide an adjustable means which in cooperation with a warning lamp indicates when a filling of new bags into the magazine is needed.

A still further object-is to provide a feeding 'device which insures powerful feeding of the bags in the magazine, and which is neutralized and locked when bags are being filled into the magazine.

For the achievement of the above-mentioned objects there is provided an apparatus of the type mentioned and which is characterized in that a hinged and lockable frame is provided in front of the apparatus casing, which frame supports all devices having their place in front of the magazine opening so that the frame may be turned aside by filling of bags into the magazine, thereby making the access to the carrying rods entirely free.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, showing the essential parts of an operating device, but without a bag opening device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opening device only;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are fragmentary plan views showing different positions of the opening device and of securing means;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary side views showing different positions of one of the catchers of the opening device;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned side view showing one of the additional clamping devices;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a bag feeding device together with a warning lamp;

FIG. I1 is a fragmentary front view showing part of a bag suspended in a magazine, together with associated parts of a frame; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are fragmentary side views showing a bag-supporting platform in horizontal and inclined positions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. I shows the forward part of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus having a casing l with hinges 3 on which a frame 2 is pivotally supported. The frame is made lockable by means of a lock 64). On each side of the frame there is arranged a bracket 16 comprising two guiding surfaces 26 and 27 together with an arm 25 pivoted on a pivot 43. On the inner side of each bracket 16 another bracket 21 is secured to the frame, and carries a clamp 24 which by means of a pair of screws 28 is displaceably mounted in a slot 63 in the bracket 21. Between one of the screws 28 and a screw 29 secured to the bracket, there is arranged a spring 22. On a plate 17 between the brackets there is mounted a pulley 18.

On this pulley runs a cord 23, one end of which is attached to an eyebolt fixed to an operating device which in this embodiment is in the form of a stirrup 11, while the other end is attached to one of the screws 28. On the frame is further arranged a stop plate 45 and a pair of lugs 20 provided with milled grooves 44. At the bottom of the frame is attached a U-formed part W on which the stirrup Ill is pivotally mounted on plugs 14. A spring 13, exerting a pressure on the stirrup Ill in a direction towards the magazine is also fixed to said part which is also the case with a stop 15. Between the bracket 16 and the U-formed part III are fixed a pair of rods 57 on which tubes 4 are slidably mounted (see also FIGS. 12 and I3).

On each tube 4 is arranged a bracket 5. A pair of rods 6 and 7 are attached to and connect the brackets 5 which are arranged one on each side of the magazine opening. On the rod 7 there is pivotally mounted a bagsupporting platform 8 which is supported by the rod 6. A pair of extensions 59 on the platform 8 are supported by short bolts 12 which are attached to the legs of the stirrup 11. Behind the rods 6 and 7 there is arranged an angle iron 58 fixed at each end to the frame 2. The platform 8 is provided with an angularly bent plate 9. A pair of carrying rods 19 are secured to the rear wall of the apparatus casing, for the suspension of bags in the magazine.

FIG. 2 shows the opening device which may be divided in three parts namely a pair of catchers 36 a catcher holder 31 and a pair of pressure devices 33. The catcher holder and the pressure device are on each side provided with rollers 38 and 39. The holder 31 is pivotally mounted on a tap 30 on the stirrup 11, while each pressure device 33 is attached to the holder and is pivoted on a tap 41. A lens-head bolt 34 is displaceably arranged in the pressure device and is provided with a spring 61 at one end and a stopper 62 at the other end. The roller 39 is arranged on a leg 40 of the pressure device.

Each catcher 36 is slidably mounted on the holder 31 by means of a pair of screws 46 which are passed through a slot 47 in the catcher, so that the screws are guiding the movements of the catcher. A leaf spring 32, attached to the holder 31, exerts a pressure on the catcher 36. A third spring 48 attached to the stirrup 11 exerts a downward pressure on the holder 31.

FIGS. 3 to show fragmentary plan views of the opening and securing device. Underneath the partly cut-away frame 2 the bags 49 stored in the magazine are seen suspended on the carrying rods 19, the end of which extends a distance beyond the frame edge. The position of the catcher shows that the stirrup 11, on which the opening device is mounted, is pushed into the innermost position and that the roller 38 is pressed down to the surface 26 by means of the spring 48, resulting in that also the catcher 36 is depressed between the walls of an outermost bag 50 in the magazine. Further the drawing shows the abutment surfaces against which the bags are pressed when'hanging unopened in the magazine, namely the stop plate 45, the lugs 20 (only one is shown) and a securing piece 54 of the bracket 16. Further is shown the tap 41 on which the pressure device 33 is pivotally mounted. The clamp 24 is held in a retracted position by means of the spring 22 and is activated first when the bag is nearly pulled out from the suspension rods.

FIG. shows a device for feeding of bags in the magazine and comprising a pusher 64 which slides along the carrying rods 19 on upper and lower plates 67. Since the perforated edge of the plastic bags tends to stick to the carrying rods, it is important that the pusher encloses the rods as close as possible. Therefore a plate 66 is provided in front of the pusher. The difference between the diameters of the plate aperture and each rod should be as small as possible, and in order that the plate shall not seize hold of the rod, it is made displaceable by means of channels 65.

On the pusher there is attached a pivoted arm 76, sliding telescopically in a tube 77. The tube is pivotally attached to the apparatus casing. A powerful spring 81, which is threaded on to a pivot 82, exerts a pressure on the tube and the arm sufiicient to displace the stored carry bags. Each time when the magazine is to be filled, the pusher must be retracted and kept in place until the magazine is filled. To this end there is provided a rod 68 right through the casing, with one end journalled in the wall and the other end extending through the opposite wall and provided with a crank 71.

On the rod 68 is fixed a reel 70 on which runs cord 69 which is attached to the pusher. Further the rod carries a toothed wheel 72 which together with a pawl 73 constitutes a lock for the crank 71. The pawl is fixed to a bolt 74 extending through the wall and being pivoted therein. At the end of the bolt 74 is attached a handle 75 which, together with the crank 71, are the only parts which are located outside the apparatus casing 1.

It may be difficult at any time to control the number of bags in the closed magazine, and it has therefore been found convenient to arrange a warning lamp 78 at the cash register. The warning lamp 78 is connected in an electric circuit including a switch 79 on which there is mounted a revolving arm 80. The dashed arm shows its neutral position. The pusher 64 and the tube 77 move constantly forward as the number of bags in the magazine decreases, and the tube passes the switch arm 80 when a certain minimum number of bags is reached, with the result that the tube 77 presses the arm 80 towards the switch button, thereby making contact to the lamp 78.

FIG. 1 1 shows a part of a bag suspended on the carrying rods 19. The bag is provided with a punched handle 52 and a pair of recesses 53 (only one is shown) in the front wall. Down into each of these recesses, in front of the rear wall of the bag, the respective lug 20 extends which is attached to the frame 2. The sectioned bracket 16 shows the two surfaces 26 and 27 for the rollers 38 of the opening device. On the upper surface 26 is further seen the pivotable arm 25. The securing piece 54 of the bracket 16 extends a distance beyond the frame 2 and forms an abutment surface for the side edge of the bag, similarly as the plate 45 constitutes an abutment surface for a part of the upper edge of the bag. These surfaces assist in retaining the bags before they are opened. In the fully opened condition the bags hang distended between the two lugs 20 on the frame and the two catchers 36 of the opening device.

In the following the function of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The operating device 11 is pushed inwards with the result that the rollers 38 and 39 of the opening device roll along the grooves or tracks 26 and 27 in the brackets 16.

FIG. 6 shows the opening device pushed inwards so far that the catcher 36 has hit the rear wall of the bag 50. To achieve this position the roller 38 0f the catcher holder 31 has had to run upward along the arm 25, while the roller 39 of the pressure device 33 has followed its track 27 with the result that the press bolt 34 has hit the front bag wall beneath the recess 53.

FIG. 7 shows the opening device pushed somewhat further inwards so that the roller 38 has been pressed down behind the arm 25 by the spring 48 (FIG. 2), and the catcher has penetrated down between the bag walls. The function of the press bolt is to exert a pressure on the front bag wall in order to keep this in place, and here it presses the wall against the catcher. Both the bolt and the catcher are pressed slightly into their holders.

FIG. 8 shows the device as this is retracted and then carrying with it the front bag wall. The roller 38 has here rolled back along the guiding surface 26, moved under the arm 25 whereby the free end thereof has been lifted for passage of the roller. The arm has then fallen down again and locks the roller so that the bag is securely held, distended between the lugs 20 and the catchers 36. The bag is now pulled out from its suspension on the carrying rods 19, and has got its suspension holes placed on the formed short walls, on each side of the bags welding seam.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show the same process viewed from above. FIG. 3 shows the same situation as FIG. 7 in which the roller 38 is pressed down behind the arm 25 by the spring 48, and the catcher 36 is located between the walls of the bag 50. The side edges of the bag are clamped behind the securing piece 54, and the rear wall is clamped behind the lugs and the plate 45 whereas the front wall is pulled somewhat outwards. Both the catcher 36 and the press bolt 34 are pressed somewhat into their holders. The clamp 24 is in its neutral position.

FIG. 4 shows the bag half-way pulled out and being about to be released from the carrying rods 19. The rear bag wall is still clamped behind the lugs 20 and the plate 45.

FIG. 5 shows the bag fully pulled out. The bag has here left its suspension on the carrying rods and hangs clamped between the lugs 20 and the catchers 36. Each catcher 36 is now again pressed out in full length, while the press bolt 34 is still forced somewhat into its holder 33. After that the bag is halfway pulled out, the clamp 24 is activated, and FIG. 5 shows that the cord 23, which is attached to thest'irrup 111 and the screw 28, has contributed to push the clamp 24 into the milled grooves 44 and 42 in the lug 20 and the catcher 36, respectively. In this position the bag is positively secured. The spring 22, which is attached to one of the screws 28 and to the screw 29 fixed to the bracket 21, is drawn out, and the opening device is moved inwards again, the spring 22 will pull the clamp 24 back to its neutral postion. i

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the clamping device as the bag is fully pulled out, with the clamp 24 pushed into the groove 44 of the lug 20. It will be seen that there is a certain level difference between the lug and the catcher, which has necessitated that the clamp be of an angularly bent form.

After the bag has been filled with goods, the stirrup with the opening-device is again pushed inwards, with the result that the bag is released from its suspension, and the process is repeated: The roller 38 is urged from its locked position on to the arm 25, with the result that the catcher islifted, while the pressure device roller 39 is moved along its horizontal path 27. The catcher hits the rear bag wall slightly above the recess 53 while the pressbolt strikes the front wallsomewhat below the recess (FIG. 6). a r

In order to ensure that the stirrup is always pressed sufficiently inwards against the magazine, a spring 13 is mounted on the U- formed part '10, which spring forces the stirrup inwards (FIG. ll When the stirrup is pressed fully inwards, the rollers of the catchers are forced downwards behind the respective arms (FIG. 7'), at the same time as the catchers penetrate down between the bagwalls. This is the neutral position of the opening device, in which position the device remains until the time when a new bag is required to be opened.

During the filling the bottom of the bag has been supported by the platform 8 (FIGS. 1, l2 and 13), and when the stirrup 111 is moved inwards after the filling, the bolts 12 slide away from the platform extensions 59 so that the platform loses its support and sinks down, with the consequence that the spring 56 in the tube 4 is compressed and the inner edge of the platform hits the angle iron 58, so that the platform revolves about its axis 7 and its outer edge rest on the stop 15. The bag has herewith been released from the opening device and achieved an inclined position so that it is easy to grip. After the bag is removed, the spring 56 forces the tube 4 with the bracket 5 and the platform up and back to the initial position. The spring 55, which is attached to the rod 6, pulls the platform downwards, so that it will rest on the rod. When a bag is then to be opened, the stirrup is pulled outwards with the result that the bolts 12 are forced into a position under the extensions 59. The platform is herewith locked in the horizontal position.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in open condition during filling of commodities, comprising: a casing with a magazine for receiving a plurality of flat-folded carry bags, said magazine having an opening; a pair of parallel carrying rods in said casing, directed towards said opening, for suspending thereon the bags by means of through holes therein; an operating device arranged in front of said opening; and opening device mounted on the latter, which device provides for gripping and opening of the foremost bag in said magazine when said operating device is moved towards and away from said magazine; said opening device including catchers arranged in a holder pivotally mounted in said operating device; guide members arranged on said casing, which are formed with guiding surfaces for cooperation with cor responding guide means on said holder so that said guide means are moved along associated inclined guid ing surfaces by movement of said operating device towards said magazine, whereby said holder is pivoted upwards to a position from which it falls down by the completed inward movement, and said catchers are therewith brought to engagement behind the front wall of the respective bag; pressure members mounted in said holder for cooperation with respective catchers, for securing of the front bag wall; and clamping devices which, by outward movement of said operating device, are brought into engagement with holding members provided on said casing, for securing of the rear wall of the respective bag; said operating device, said opening device, said guide members and said holding members constituting means for gripping, opening and securing the bag.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim ll, wherein said gripping, opening and securing means are disposed on a frame pivotally hinged to said casing at said opening, to be turned aside for providing free access to said magazine for refilling the bags.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein said catchers are slidably mounted in said holder and are spring-loaded in the direction'towards said magazine.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure members are pivotally mounted in said holder and include guide means for sliding along said guiding surfaces of the guide members, and wherein said pres sure members are provided with spring-loaded clamping heads for cooperation with the associated catchers.

5. The apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein said inclined guiding surfaces guide said holder by the inward movement of said operating device and include an arm pivotally mounted at its upper end, and along the upper surface of which an associated one of said guide means moves by the inward movement, and below which said one guide means is returned by the outward movement of said operating device, and

wherein the free end of said arm can block said guide means in its outer position.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping devices are displaceably mounted in holders attached to said casing, are operatively connected to said operating device, and capable of entering grooves in associated ones of said holding members by the outward movement of said operating device.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping devices can be brought into engagement with grooves in respective catchers at the same time as they are brought into engagement with said grooves in the holding members so that the opened bag is effectively secured at all four corners.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded pusher displaceably mounted on said rods, whereby said pusher exerts pressure on the bags in said magazine and presses the rear wall of the foremost bag against said holding members, and a returning device for said pusher.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said pusher is connected to a pivotable arm which operates a switch in an electric circuit for a signal lamp in a certain position of said pusher.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said operating device has the form of a stirrup with essentially vertical legs which at their lower ends are pivotally mounted in front of said opening, said legs being provided with means for supporting a bag-supporting platform in the outer position of said operating device, which platform is pivotally journalled on a resiliently supported shaft so that said platform is released from said supporting means and allowed to rotate to an inclined position by the inward movement of said operating device. 

1. An apparatus for the opening of carry bags and for the securing thereof in open condition during filling of commodities, comprising: a casing with a magazine for receiving a plurality of flat-folded carry bags, said magazine having an opening; a pair of parallel carrying rods in said casing, directed towards said opening, for suspending thereon the bags by means of through holes therein; an operating device arranged in front of said opening; an opening device mounted on the latter, which device provides for gripping and opening of the foremost bag in said magazine when said operating device is moved towards and away from said magazine; said opening device including catchers arranged in a holder pivotally mounted in said operating device; guide members arranged on said casing, which are formed with guiding surfaces for cooperation with corresponding guide means on said holder so that said guide means are moved along associated inclined guiding surfaces by movement of said operating device towards said magazine, whereby said holder is pivoted upwards to a position from which it falls down by the completed inward movement, and said catchers are therewith brought to engagement behind the front wall of the respective bag; pressure members mounted in said holder for cooperation with respective catchers, for securing of the front bag wall; and clamping devices which, by outward movement of said operating device, are brought into engagement with holding members provided on said casing, for securing of the rear wall of the respective bag; said operating device, said opening device, said guide members and said holding members constituting means for gripping, opening and securing the bag.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said gripping, opening and securing means are disposed on a frame pivotally hinged to said casing at said opening, to be turned aside for providing free access to said magazine for refilling the bags.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said catchers are slidably mounted in said holder and are spring-loaded in the direction towards said magazine.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure members are pivotally mounted in said holder and include guide means for sliding along said guiding surfaces of the guide members, and wherein said pressure members are provided with spring-loaded clamping heads for cooperation with the associated catchers.
 5. The apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein said inclined guiding surfaces guide said holder by the inward movement of said operating device and include an arm pivotally mounted at its upper end, and along the upper surface of which an associated one of said guide means moves by the inward movement, and below which said one guide means is returned by the outward movement of said operating device, and wherein the free end of said arm can block said guide means in its outer position.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping devices are displaceably mounted in holders attached to said casing, are operatively connected to said operating device, and capable of entering grooves in associated ones of said holding members by the outward movement of said operating device.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping devices can be brought into engagement with grooves in respective catchers at the same time as they are brought into engagement with said grooves in the holding members so that the opened bag is effectively secured at all four corners.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded pusher displaceably mounted on said rods, whereby said pusher exerts pressure on the bags in said magazine and presses the rear wall of the foremost bag against said holding members, and a returning device for said pusher.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said pusher is connected to a pivotable arm which operates a switch in an electric circuit for a signal lamp in a certain position of said pusher.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said operating device has the form of a stirrup with essentially vertical legs which at their lower ends are pivotally mounted in front of said opening, said legs being provided with means for supporting a bag-supporting platform in the outer position of said operating device, which platform is pivotally journalled on a resiliently supported shaft so that said platform is released from said supporting means and allowed to rotate to an inclined position by the inward movement of said operating device. 